The 5 Best Outdoor Bars in NYC

“Where are we drinking today?” can be a paralyzing question for a New Yorker, especially during the summer. Sun-seekers who just want to get out of their box-size, AC-deficient apartments to drink in the open air must find a spot with not only ample outdoor space, but also awesome drinks and snacks.

You could head to Prospect or Central park with a six-pack or bottle of rosé (this is always a good idea); or, you can booze in the sun (or under the stars) at one of these exceptional watering holes. From ramshackle backyard dives to spacious beer gardens, there are plenty of awesome places to drink when the weather warms up.

To help you get ready for summer, we’ve listed our five favorite places to drink outdoors in NYC.

Gowanus Yacht Club

Address and phone: 323 Smith St, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-246-1321)
Website:facebook.com/pages/Gowanus-Yacht-ClubGood for: Cheap al fresco drinking before or after your main plans for the night
This scruffy outdoor beer garden smells deliciously of grilled frankfurters and feels like the backyard you never had. It's high on irony since there isn't any water in sight, let alone a yacht. But there is a large outdoor seating space—sandwiched between Bagels by the Park and the F/G subway stop—outfitted with brightly-colored picnic tables topped with makeshift umbrellas. Frosty beer comes in plastic cups, and burgers and hotdogs are cooked on a makeshift grill. Be sure to bring cash to pay for your afternoon of outdoor boozing.

Studio Square

Address and phone: 35-33 36th St, Astoria, Queens (718-383-1001)
Website:studiosquarenyc.comGood for: Stein-swilling friends looking to get tipsy in the sun
The main draw of this Astoria beer hall is its 30,000-square-foot cobblestoned courtyard, which features a fire pit and picnic tables galore, plus a projection screen for games. Beers on tap are constantly changing, but include a mix of German and American craft-brew standards. Numerous events—like an annual BBQ with David Burke or an intimate concert from the Roots—are also a huge draw.

The Cannibal

Address and phone: 113 E 29th St (212-686-5480)
Website:cannibalnyc.comGood for: Guy's night out, or midday beer-drinking sessions
Cannibal is part butcher shop, part bar, part beer store—plus, it has a lovely backyard with bike racks mounted on the wall and picnic tables fit for warm-weather bacchanals. The meat-centric fare from chef Francis Derby is top-notch, and the brew selection is one of the most unique (if pricey) in the city. If you go during the day, grab an excellent Cuban sandwich or a grilled cheese stuffed with pork belly. At dinner, highlights include a roasted half pig's head, lamb shoulder, Detroit-style coney dogs with beef-heart chili, and lamb tartare—bring a crew so you can really feast.

Birreria

Address and phone: 200 5th Ave (212-937-8910)
Website:eataly.com/nyc-birreriaGood for: Enjoying a rooftop bar that isn’t fueled by vodka tonics and ridiculous guestlists
This rooftop brewpub atop Mario Batali’s Italian superstore, Eataly, is a beer lover's paradise and a great spot to soak up some vitamin D. The sprawling, neatly-appointed space features views of the Flatiron Building and the Empire State Building, plus a sliding-glass roof that allows it to remain open year-round. House beers are made on site and devised by Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Teo Musso of Baladin, and Leonardo Di Vincenzo of Birra Del Borgo. Excellent but pricey beer-drinking grub includes fennel-laced grilled quail and fat probusto sausages.

Maison Premiere

Address and phone: 298 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347-335-0446)
Website:maisonpremiere.comGood for: Day-drinking in a Seersucker suit
Do not presume, because Maison Premiere serves $1-oysters during happy hour, that this Williamsburg hangout is where frat boys come to embark on a feeding frenzy. This handsome ode to New Orleans has nothing in common with the countless bars channeling the debauchery of Bourbon Street; instead, it channels the Big Easy's past as a cocktail capital with a gorgeous horsehoe-shaped bar dispensing Vieux Carré cocktails and immaculate bivalves. As the intricate absinthe fountain on display attests, the anise-flavored spirit is the focus here, popping up in drinks such as the Frenchmen Roulette with rye, maraschino, and Creole bitters. Sit in the backyard, and all that greenery might have you thinking you've been transported to a Crescent City courtyard.

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